Trends | Stakeholders believe efforts to transform downtown San Antonio will require a mix of public and private investment

Local leaders and downtown stakeholders share the belief that an improved center city will attract more residents, visitors and businesses.

And that migration of people and companies to downtown San Antonio would likely spur other development in the heart of the city.

But there is no clear-cut consensus yet on how local government officials and those with a vested interest in the center city should prioritize downtown re-investment goals.

Should the city look to invest the bulk of its resources in transportation and other infrastructure improvements first? Or is the development of HemisFair Park or Alamo Plaza more important?

Should local leaders concentrate on creating incentives that will spur investment in more downtown housing for working professionals? Or should it focus more on parking and transportation needs?

What follows are the thoughts of local leaders who have a vested interest in downtown San Antonio’s future.

William P. Brendel

General Manager

Crockett Hotel

What do you believe should be the city’s top priority with regard to downtown re-investment?

The City of San Antonio should focus on any private investment that will locate new businesses in the downtown area. It should encourage creative re-use of existing buildings and spaces like HemisFair Park, the near East Side and Southtown. But ... some new construction will be needed too. New, thriving business in this defined area of downtown will attract workers and residents.

Derrick Fox

President and CEO

Valero Alamo Bowl

What do you believe should be the city’s top priority with regard to downtown re-investment?

San Antonio is one of the nation’s most popular tourist destinations, thanks in large part to a convenient downtown layout and our well-deserved reputation for world-class hospitality. The city should continue to invest in infrastructure like the Alamodome, convention center and River Walk that positively impact our economic cycle of visitation, as well as the public spaces and programming that make San Antonio vibrant and attractive to visitors and residents alike.

Chairman and President

Tobin Center for the Performing Arts

What do you believe should be the city’s top priority with regard to downtown re-investment?

To build downtown San Antonio’s reputation as a great place to live and work, the city must continue to build the public infrastructure of streets and parking facilities and provide a safe environment to support the arts and cultural activities.

Richard Perez

President and CEO

Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce

What do you believe should be the city’s top priority with regard to downtown re-investment?

Over the years, a misperception has developed among the citizens of our great community that our downtown belongs to the tourists. Our downtown belongs to all of us. Thus, an investment in our downtown is an investment in ourselves. My goal would be to focus on infrastructure and amenity investment in our downtown.